RIVER VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Regular Meeting
Middle School Library
7:00 p.m.
Board: Nelson, Ferguson,
Crowley, Taylor, Pronold, Caraway, Cummings, Travis Kraemer (Student Council
Rep)
Absent: Cates, Peach
Admin: Benson, Hoffman, Radtke, Palm-Leis, Briehl, Hayek, Hegland
Others: Sue Sadler, Wanda Esch, Paula Caraway, Jim Wenzler, Roberta Wenzler,
Jim Kloth, Steve Rammer, Mike Goff, David Giffey (Home News), Paula Wedige
(Administrative Assistant)
President Caraway opened the meeting. He noted that the meeting had been properly noticed and notice had been provided to the appropriate media and each School Board Member. Crowley moved to proceed with the legal meeting. Ferguson seconded. Motion carried.
Legislative Update
Taylor provided a WASB legislative
update to include that an analysis of the President’s proposed 2009 budget would
keep funding for education programs at essentially the same level as last year.
Board members are encouraged to contact their members of Congress to advocate
for a budget resolution that will provide increases of at least $2.5 billion for
Title I grants and $2.5 billion for special education.
Board Training
Opportunities
Nelson noted that WASB will hold
sessions around the state after April for new school board members.
Student Council Report
Travis Kraemer noted that the student
council will be visiting the state capitol on March 26. Student council is
also discussing ideas related to conservation for Earth Day.
Review 2007-08 District
Goals
Benson provided an update on the
2007-08 district goals:
a. 6 Traits Writing – we are making outstanding progress due to teacher interest and their use of this model for teaching students how to write using the 6 Traits model.
b. Curriculum Mapping – teachers are using this process to outline curriculum.
c. STAR Reading Assessment – students have been tested twice already using this software program. Administration will begin analysis of data and discuss program improvement plans for reading.
d. Creative Learning Facilitator and Supporting Creativity and Innovation – this unique initiative at River Valley for supporting creativity and innovation was highlighted in a recent Wisconsin State Journal article. Community support and funding through the Spring Green Center for Creativity and Innovation (C4C) will allow this position to continue next year.
Community Learning Foundation Grant Awarded to
Middle School
The Community Learning Foundation
awarded a $1,600 grant to the middle school to produce the play, “A Midsummer
Night’s Dream.” Three other grants were also awarded from the Community
Learning Foundation—$500 for a high school theater project, $120 for guest
author stipends; and $500 for the “Figureheads” group which shares positive
messages with youth through their use of hip-hop music.
Discuss Change of Date for April Regular Board
Meeting – Proposing Monday, April 7
Due to schedule conflicts, the April
Regular Board Meeting was changed to Monday, April 7, at 7:00 p.m. in the Middle
School Library. A Policy Committee meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. that same
evening. A Budget Meeting will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 1.
Public Comments/Open
Forum
Crowley clarified for the public that
they can request to comment on agenda items as they are discussed as well as
make comments during this open forum agenda item.
Consent Agenda: Checks,
Invoices, Receipts – February 2008; Open Session Meeting Minutes – February 11,
2008
Crowley moved to approve the consent agenda items as submitted.
Pronold seconded. Motion carried.
Consideration & Action on Revisions to 2007-08 School Calendar
Due to the fact that we have now had five
cancellation dates, the last day for students will be Friday, June 13; the last
day for support staff will be Monday, June 16; and the last day for teachers
will be Tuesday, June 17. Taylor moved to allow teachers, with pre-approval, to
fulfill the final June 17 workshop day prior to that date through work completed
outside of normal work hours. Ferguson seconded. Benson noted that the 2008-09
calendar may be revisited to discuss the possible compression of that calendar
if the RVEA mutually agrees. A May 16 deadline was set to determine if any
changes will be sought. Motion carried.
Consideration & Action on
Budget Committee Recommendations
After hearing the Budget Committee’s
recommendation, Taylor moved to approve Pioneer Roofing to complete the labor
and Roofers Mart to provide the materials to replace sections “C1” and “D” of
the middle school roof for a total amount of $146,252 and to approve $60,000 to
tear off and replace all middle school roof decking. Pronold seconded. Motion
carried.
After hearing the Budget Committee’s recommendation, Crowley moved to approve H.J. Pertzborn to replace the middle school piping for $59,141 and EMC to complete asbestos abatement for $9,407. Taylor seconded. Motion carried.
Consideration & Action on
Resolution Accepting Teacher Resignation
High school math teacher Wanda Esch
has submitted her resignation but is seeking compensation for unused
reimbursable days. Since the Board cannot make an agreement outside of the
Collective Bargaining Agreement, Pronold moved to adopt the Resolution Accepting
Teacher Resignation for high school math teacher, Wanda Esch, but only in
accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Cummings seconded. Polled
vote was 7-0 in the affirmative with 2 absent. Motion carried.
Consideration & Action on
Resigning Teacher’s Request
to Utilize Reimbursable Days to Provide
Compensation
No discussion per prior agenda item.
Consideration & Action on
School Nurse Transfers
Taylor moved to approve the dual
transfer requests of Marcia Creasey to 60% nurse and Michelle Ford to 100%
nurse. Crowley seconded. Motion carried.
Consideration & Action on
Resolution for Preliminary Notice of Special Education Teacher Layoff
Ferguson moved to adopt the Resolution
for Preliminary Notice of Special Education Teacher Layoff for Jackie Gerner
since a more senior teacher will be returning from leave of absence beginning in
2008-09. Pronold seconded. Polled vote was 7-0 in the affirmative with 2
absent. Motion carried.
Consideration & Action on
CESA #3 Services Contract
Crowley moved to approve the 2008-09
CESA #3 Services Contract in the amount of $64,153. Taylor seconded. Motion
carried.
Consideration & Action on
CESA #5 Services Contract
Ferguson moved to approve the 2008-09
CESA #5 Services Contract in the amount of $18,800. Crowley seconded. Motion
carried.
Consideration & Action to
Adjourn to Closed Session Pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(1)(c) for
Discussion of Administrator Evaluations and Contracts
Pronold moved to adjourn to closed
session at 8:05 p.m. pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(1)(c) for Discussion
of Administrator Evaluations and Contracts. Taylor seconded. Polled vote was
7-0 in the affirmative with 2 absent. Motion carried.
Submitted by Paula Wedige For Deborah Nelson, School District Clerk
05/15/08 pw